Norfolk County’s Agriculture Advisory Board (AAB) met in September to review a number of issues, among them:
- Septic Systems: Await response from the Ministry of Environment.
- Road Entrance Permits: Staff will request letter confirming discussion in May 2019.
- Importing Soil: Motion passed: Agriculture Advisory Board recommends that Council direct staff to develop a By-Law regulating the importation of excess soil from other jurisdictions.
- Lot Relocations: Members to provide direct feedback through Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) review. Coun. Columbus encouraged farmers to contact MPP Toby Barrett.
- Prime Ag Lands Discussion: Advisory Board asked that former AAB Chair Brett Schuyler be invited to next meeting to discuss next steps.
- New Council Primer: Chair Dusty Zamecnik to make Council presentation in fall 2019.
- Optional Tax Classes: Request was approved by Council. Also, tax rate was reduced from 0.25 to 0.23 for Agricultural Lands.
- Road 45 Bridge: Councillor Columbus reported MOE has not ruled yet on revised plan for one-lane bridge on County Road 45. Objections filed by local company, farmer and engineer. Members reported road closure continues to disrupt farming activity in area. GIS will be asked to contact Google Maps about noting bridge closure.
- Provincially Significant Wetlands: Council passed motions. Planning staff will take report to Council fall 2019.
- Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) Review Feedback: Staff confirmed that issue of lot relocations was not addressed in proposed changes to Provincial Policy Statement under review. Nick Kinkel shared link to Province’s web page (https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-0279). Deadline Oct 21, 2019.
- On-Farm Diversified Uses: Staff reported Council has passed policy supportive of on-farm diversified uses, now permitted on all agricultural lands across Norfolk County.
